Network Meeting Enlightens Businesses on the Changes to Qualifications and Grading in Schools

Local businesses from all over Kent attended a Business Networking Breakfast organised by The Folkestone Academy to explain the changes to education qualifications and grading and how this will impact employers when recruiting. Alongside this the Academy looked to develop partnerships with businesses to support students through their career path through skills workshops, workplace visits student placements.

Presentations were made by a collection of people, including Emma Newman Vice Principal at The Folkestone Academy, Munya Badze from The Careers and Enterprise Company, Robert Richardson General Manager at the Grand Hotel and Dr Scott Wildman Director of Higher and Degree Apprenticeships Centre at the University of Kent. The event was organised by Katy Tibbles, Careers Coordinator at the Academy with support from Robert Richardson, who is also the Enterprise Advisor for the Academy. She comments: “This event was a celebration of a collaborative partnership between the members who presented this morning, all with the same desire to listen to employers and engage young people with the skills and tools to sustain a thriving future workforce.”

The event was well attended including Cllr David Monk, Leader of the Shepway District Council and Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee, Deputy Leader; The Marlowe Theatre, Dungeness Power Station; Department for Work and Pensions, Three Hills Sport Park, Holiday Extras and the Port of Dover. Marie Colgan from DWP provided feedback of the event, she comments: “This was an excellent event and well facilitated. It was great to speak with a student from The Folkestone Academy, who was an excellent role model for the school with a clear understanding of the International Baccalaureate and how it fits in with his career path.”

Folkestone Academy is part of the Turner Schools family, in partnership with The King's School Canterbury. Turner Schools is an exempt charity regulated by the Department for Education, a company registered in England and Wales and limited by guarantee as Company Number 10084743. The registered address: Martello Primary, Warren Way, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 6DT